Labor Department Seeks Changes to FMLA

Law360, New York (February 8, 2008, 12:00 AM EST) -- The Department of Labor has sent Congress a raft of proposed changes to the 15-year-old Family and Medical Leave Act, some of which have reportedly generated criticism from lawmakers.

The revisions include redefining what constitutes a "serious health problem" under the act and adding a provision that allows employers to require evaluations for workers returning from leave, to ensure they can do their jobs.

If enacted, the proposals would be the first changes to the act since it was signed into law in 1993. The Labor...